What Is a Herniated or Bulging Disc?
Between each vertebra in your spine lies a disc that acts as a shock absorber, allowing movement and flexibility while protecting nerves and soft tissue. Think of it like a jelly donut—where the outer layer (annulus) surrounds a soft inner core (nucleus). Over time, stress, poor posture, or injuries can cause the disc to weaken. When pressure forces the soft center to push out (bulge) or break through the outer layer (herniate), it can compress nearby nerves and cause significant pain.
Herniated or bulging discs often develop slowly but may become symptomatic suddenly—sometimes triggered by something as simple as lifting a box, tying your shoe, or even sneezing. By the time pain appears, the issue has usually been building for a while.